Looking for info on a campervan road trip in Eastern Europe

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a campervan road trip and would love some tips from those who know these countries: Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia again. At the moment, nothing’s set in stone, but for example, is it better to visit Slovenia or Bosnia? My preferences lean toward landscapes (rivers, sea, lakes)—basically anywhere there’s water! :) Wild camping, cheap or even free spots, and a *very* tight budget—it’s the discovery, curiosity, and meeting locals that drive me. I’ll visit cities and sites only if access is easy (by bike, for example, or by train from an affordable campsite) and if visitors aren’t treated like cash cows. Just reasonable stuff, really. So, any advice is welcome—like swimming spots or easy hikes along coasts or rivers. I love caves and offbeat visits (salt mines in Poland, La Roque Saint-Christophe in France, etc.). Castles and old ruins? Not really my thing... Thanks for your help! Sylvia

Hi there,

If the idea is to travel on a shoestring budget and avoid current tourism prices in Europe, you’ll need to skip Slovenia and Croatia—or at least head to really off-the-beaten-path spots, far from the coast. And even then... Slovenia’s a bit like Switzerland: very polished, very modern, and not cheap. Bosnia seems like a better fit for your plan, or maybe North Macedonia. Though it’s farther away. Anyway, that’s just my two cents!

Michel

For those who love alpine landscapes, beautiful mountain scenery, lakes, and great hikes, Slovenia is the place to go. I’m a bit worried, though, that prices might not be what I remember when the country was still Yugoslavia. For rural charm, old traditions, and especially much more affordable prices these days, Bosnia is the way to go.

What do you mean exactly? Like in relation to Spain, for example? We did Germany and Poland without any issues... Our motorhome takes up one car space. If there aren’t too many barriers like in France that even stop you from going for a swim without walking ten kilometers ;), it should work out. Did you do a motorhome road trip and have trouble getting near beaches?

No matter the countries, it’ll also depend on the season. What month are you planning to go? Anyway, in Slovenia, wild camping is a no-go. Everything’s super regulated, just like Tatra said—it’s like Switzerland 😉

Hi Sylvia, Great choice of region—you’re going to love it! If I had to pick, I’d go for Bosnia over Slovenia: Slovenia is stunning (lakes, rivers, caves), but it’s very touristy and quite expensive. Wild camping is tricky, with lots of "organized" spots. Bosnia is the opposite: raw nature, rivers everywhere, incredible swimming spots, easy wild camping, tiny budget, and super welcoming people. Croatia Gorgeous... but the coast is packed and pricey in season. If you go, aim for the interior or river areas. The sea is amazing, but you’ll have to deal with the crowds. Montenegro An excellent compromise. Sea + mountains + lakes + canyons all in a small country. Wild camping is still possible, prices are reasonable outside the most famous spots, and it’s easy to explore by campervan or bike. For your style (water, nature, meeting people, little to no tourist traps): Bosnia = guaranteed love at first sight, Montenegro = a great complement, Slovenia = in small doses, away from the ultra-famous sites. Avoid July-August on the Croatian coast. In Bosnia and Montenegro, you can travel for a long time without breaking the bank—your budget will go much further than in Croatia. Happy road trip! 👍

Afterwards, if you're looking for more freedom (wild camping by the sea or in the mountains) and the cheapest option, Albania is the place to go—and on top of that, the people are much more welcoming!

... I don’t own a motorhome and never have, and I never go to Spain, which I don’t like, but in my opinion, Slovenia is very similar to Austria in terms of experience—almost like Switzerland: very structured, very regulated, and expensive all the time, whether it’s winter (skiing), summer, spring, etc.

I think it’s pricier than Germany and Poland. I’ve traveled through all the countries mentioned here, except Montenegro, but by car.

Michel

When I say small budget, like the same as what you’d need to feed yourself in France ;) But what I’m hoping for is that someone who’s traveled in van life can share some great tips on what to see or do. At least a few pointers, some directions—those hidden gems aren’t revealing themselves anymore because of the rush to spots without the respect they deserve.

Oh, thanks Androg! I was hesitating about Bosnia—depending on time and our inspiration, I think I’ll do a bit of both, either on the way to or back from the Croatian coast.

Yeah, I always travel off-season for 1 to 3 months, though sometimes it spills a little into tourist periods. I *really* want to visit the Croatian coast—it can’t be worse than the Italian coast :)))

We always manage to squeeze in here and there. We don’t "camp," we keep a low profile. We’ll see what memories this country leaves us, but it’s a must for a sea lover like me.

Okay, traveling by car is sometimes easier, but having a house to sleep and eat in is priceless ;) Austria and Switzerland—I can totally picture it! We did a tour around Lake Constance, which gives you a good idea :)

Anyway, thanks—at least now that we know the "general vibe of the country," we can plan a quick stop or a longer stay. Are you still traveling?

I’d tend to agree with Androg—a route combining Bosnia and Montenegro. Parking is easy (except in Kotor), in Podgorica there are free parking spots, no paid parking, and traffic flows smoothly. In Cetinje, parking is also straightforward. At least these costs don’t factor into the holiday budget. No tolls. Drivers are respectful. On the downside, there’s a risk of stray animals, especially in Bosnia—I’ve seen it firsthand. Another plus: you can get by just fine without a GPS. Prices are reasonable, I’m talking about groceries. However, excursions like boat trips to Kotor Bay or bus trips to Dubrovnik are expensive. In my opinion, Dubrovnik is best avoided with a motorhome—it’s way too crowded. Crossing borders between countries is quick, between 15 and 30 minutes. I mostly saw German motorhomes. But motorhomes aren’t as common as you’d think. Either way, it’s a great idea to explore these countries.

Okay, traveling by car is sometimes easier, but having a home to sleep and eat in is priceless ;) Austria and Switzerland—I can totally picture it! We did a loop around Lake Constance, which gives you a good idea :)

Actually, it’s pretty counterintuitive in France, but in some countries (Germany, Albania, Bosnia...), cooking for yourself doesn’t make sense—it’s even more expensive than eating out.

Michel

Anyway, thanks—at least knowing the "general vibe of the country" helps us decide whether to make a quick stop or a longer stay. You still traveling?

What do you mean by "you still traveling"? Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever really done anything else 😊 Truth is, I know this region pretty well, I’d say: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria; a bit of Albania, Bosnia, Romania, Moldova, Kosovo, North Macedonia; very little of Montenegro; Croatia without the touristy spots; Slovenia since I’ve passed through often; Serbia only Belgrade, Niš, and Novi Sad. But I never go to touristy places, and my references stretch back… 40 years.

Michel

Good evening,

I quite agree with you and with Androg.

Michel

Why only enough?

Because personally, I’d totally avoid Dubrovnik, having already been to Mont Saint-Michel.

Michel

Okay, traveling by car is sometimes easier, but having a home to sleep and eat in is priceless ;) Austria and Switzerland—I totally get the vibe. We did a loop around Lake Constance, which gives you an idea :)

Actually, it’s kind of counterintuitive in France, but there are countries (Germany, Albania, Bosnia...) where doing it yourself doesn’t make any sense and can even end up costing more than eating out.

Michel

Let’s just say that after traveling in all its forms (backpacking, car, camper van, all-inclusive, or just renting a vehicle/hotel like in Florida), this way of traveling means you don’t have to "chase" after a restaurant, accommodation, a bus, or a train, etc. It’s obvious that when the cost of living is lower, that’s when we take advantage of restaurants or other street food vendors. We mix it up, we leave without worrying about time, no schedule, no obligations. The only constraint is planning ahead for supplies :) Actually, our current philosophy is to live little slices of life elsewhere with the same mindset we had during our round-the-world trip. It’s just the method that’s different (and the means too :)) )

Thanks. In terms of climate, what should we expect in the spring in Croatia? More like the weather on France’s west coast or the south coast?

I can't reply to you. I went there once in August: it was hot, and once in September: it was okay.

Otherwise, if you're looking for more freedom (wild camping by the sea or in the mountains) and the cheapest option of all, Albania is the place to go—and on top of that, the people are much more welcoming!

For later, with Greece and North Macedonia. The ideal would be to take a ferry to limit the trip, but that seems complicated...

Okay, thanks anyway. No worries—anyway, the weather and seasons are a bit crazy everywhere now.